Differences between Islam and Christianity - Difference 2

The Qur'an teaches one achieves eternal salvation to an eternity in paradise, and thus escapes the eternal torment of hell fire, through good works. If one has more good deeds to place on the scales of judgment than bad deeds, one can hope to find favor with Allah and spend eternity in bliss rather than in torment. Sura 23:102-103 states, "Then those whose balance of good deeds is heavy, they will attain salvation; but those whose balance is light, will be those who have lost their souls, in Hell will they abide." And even Muhammad, Allah's chosen final messenger for mankind, did not know of his eternal destiny. "Say: I am not the first of the apostles, and I do not know what will be done with me or with you: I do not follow anything but that which is revealed to me; I am nothing but a plain warner." (Sura 46:9)

The Bible clearly teaches salvation by grace alone through faith alone and not by any works or effort on our part. "For by grace you have been saved, and that not of yourselves; it is a gift of God, not of works, lest any man should boast.

" (Ephesians 2:8-9) While the New Testament does address the subject of works (James 2:14, 18) it is only within the context of a demonstration of a present saving faith. Works are a result OF our salvation, not FOR our salvation. In Islam the opposite is true.